In This Issue
Region Responds to Fort Lee Growth 
Changing Face of Manufacturing Forum
Why VGR?
Hear the latest from public and private sector leaders as they discuss the benefits of operating in Virginia's Gateway Region.
April 13, 2007
Dear Reader,
We hope you enjoy this update brought to you by Virginia's Gateway Region Economic Development Organization.
Region Responds to Fort Lee Growth
With $1.9 billion in construction coming to Fort Lee by 2011, the region’s small businesses want to know how they can get a piece of the pie. Today, at John Tyler Community College’s Nicholas Student Center, businesses are discovering the region has mobilized to support them in the process.
Today’s “Piece of the Pie: Key Ingredients to Success” event offered businesses a rare opportunity to meet face-to-face with federal agencies and prime contractors needing small businesses for a variety of construction and construction-related contracts.
“Under the direction of the Crater Procurement Assistance Center, the region’s stakeholders have truly come together to put on an invaluable session providing the type of information and contacts our businesses need to take advantage of the growth occurring at Fort Lee,” said C. Renée Wyatt-Chapline, Executive Director of Virginia’s Gateway Region and one of the event’s hosts.
The morning session began with a welcome from Richard M. “Dickie” King, Jr., on behalf of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, and Millard D. “Pete” Stith, Jr., Chesterfield Deputy County Administrator, Community Development. Both speakers touched on the regional cooperation that has been at the heart of the area’s response to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission’s (BRAC) recommendation to double the size of Fort Lee by 2011.
“We are very blessed in Virginia to have the military might we have,” Stith said, “and each time BRAC comes around we seem to walk away with a little bit more.”
Stith told the crowd the region’s growth over the coming years is going to be phenomenal.
Ronald E. Bew, Small Business Administration (SBA) District Director followed the welcome with an overview of the matchmaking process that will be going on throughout the day. Over 400 appointments are scheduled throughout the day for event participants to meet with prime contractors, top lenders, SBA specialists and business consultants, as they explore opportunities related to Fort Lee’s growth.
Jack Beecher, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Small Business Program Office Chief, representing the Norfolk District, provided the audience with an overview of his involvement in BRAC contracts. He reported the Army Corps is about three months behind schedule awarding contracts for BRAC due to the funding schedule, yet the Corps has already received and awarded several substantial BRAC contracts.
Beecher assured the crowd, “There is a lot of work coming, especially at Fort Lee.”
Curt Savoy, Manager of the Residential Communities Initiative (RCI) Program at Fort Lee, concluded the session with a presentation on the installation’s housing activity. RCI has spent the last six months developing a community development master plan, which represents a 50 year plan for privatizing, sustaining and maintaining a quality residential community at Fort Lee. The plan will be sent to Congress on Monday, an approval is expected within 45 days, and from there, Fort Lee will begin a 52 month initial development period.
Following the morning session, matchmaking appointments with prime contractors and capital access experts are being held from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., those who missed the morning session, will be able to attend a repeat session providing an update on BRAC and RCI opportunities at Fort Lee.
The Piece of the Pie event is sponsored by Chesterfield County, Crater Procurement Assistance Center, Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, SunTrust Bank, and Apartment Connection. The event’s hosts include the Chesterfield County Division of Community Development and Department of Economic Development, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Association of the United States Army, Capital Relocation, County of Chesterfield, Crater Procurement Assistance Center, Crater Small Business Development – Longwood University, Fort Lee Credit Union, Hale’s Electrical Service, Logistics Management Resources, Inc., Prince George County, Randstad Work Solutions, Virginia’s Gateway Region, Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce, Dinwiddie Chamber of Commerce, Hopewell-Prince George Chamber of Commerce, and the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.
Fact Facts: Did you know?
In its April 5, 2007, issue, Forbes named the area one of the nation's 20 best places for business and careers, rated 14th among the 200 largest metro areas.
Changing Face of Manufacturing Forum
During The Changing Face of Manufacturing forum Tuesday night, industry experts will discuss the types of careers available in advanced manufacturing, the skills needed in order to start such a career, the role manufacturing plays in economic development, and the ways manufacturing has evolved throughout the years. Attendees will also learn about two new initiatives at John Tyler Community College – the John Tyler Community College Manufacturers’ Coalition, which partners the College with area businesses that see a need to grow the manufacturing workforce; and Quick Start, a program created by the College with the help of coalition members to train students for entry-level work in the manufacturing industry.
Join us for this exciting forum April 17th at 6:30 p.m. at JTCC’s Chester Campus. Admission is free. For more information, visit our events calendar.
